Security measures at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport has always been slack and instances of breaches, have often reflected the vulnerability to terror attacks.
Security measures at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport has always been slack and instances of it being breached, have often reflected its vulnerability to terror attack.
On occasions when terror threats or incidents where security had been breached inside the airport, besides finger raising and mudslinging exercises between the airport authority and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) not much is done to prevent its recurrence. The most vulnerable sites within the airport, according to a recent visit, appeared to be the parking and the entrance gates.
Physically there a police check-post before entering in the periphery of airport; however, it was hardly functioning. There have also been numerous instances when people have allegedly sneaked inside the terminal without undergoing proper security check. No vehicles are checked by the police with bomb detectors.
Only last year the Airport Authority of India (AAI) had bagged around Rs2.5 crore funds to upgrade security measures at the airport after the deadly terror attacks in Ahmedabad and Mumbai. According to sources the plan stated that the AAI will replace the old boundary wall, spread in a radius 3 km, as well as installing a high mast lighting system.
While tenders have been floated for replacement of the old boundary wall and installation of the lighting system, the entire project will take around five months for completion. The move, sources say, is also part of the airport modernisation programme where funds have been earmarked for developing airport security infrastructure. According to airport sources the work has started but the speed is sluggish.
Several CCTV cameras have been installed at the airport building and in the cargo section for security. According to sources there are more than 50 CCTV cameras have been installed at the domestic and international terminal. While, there are around 400 CISF personnel to protect the airport from within, several dozens of Gujarat Police personnel look after those areas that lie in the vicinity of the airport.
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